Anti-violation means for lever actuated latch

ABSTRACT

A usual longitudinally extending latch unit has a longitudinally reciprocal bolt and stationary frame parts are spaced transversely of the latch unit at opposite sides thereof mounting a half round spindle extending from one frame part through the latch unit to the other frame part. The frame parts mount the spindle for limited rotational movement from a normal intermediate non-operating position in either rotational direction to opposite operating positions, the spindle being operably connected with the bolt positioning the bolt extended in spindle normal non-operating position and retracted in either of the spindle operating positions. An anti-violation plate is mounted stationary on one of the frame parts by slidable engagement with spaced lugs on said frame part and telescopes the spindle spaced between that frame part spindle rotational mounting and the latch unit. The spindle extends through a plate opening having spaced abutment surfaces on the plate bordering said opening positioned engageable by the spindle when the spindle is moved to either of its operating positions, but the plate otherwise remaining free of contact with the spindle. The anti-violation plate thereby retains the spindle and bolt against movement in excess of that intended.

United States Patent [191 Gerlach [4 1 Feb. 13,1973

[54] ANTI-VIOLATION MEANS FOR LEVER ACTUATED LATCH [75] Inventor: John R. Gerlach, Monterey Park,

Calif.

[73] Assignee: Emhart Corporation, Bloomfield,

Conn.

[22] Filed: Aug. 19, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 65,079

[52] US. Cl ..292/169.23, 292/357, 292/DlG. 54 [51] Int. Cl. ..E05c 13/00 [58] Field of Search....292/l69.23, 356, 357, 169.21, 292/359, 336.3

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,234,912 3/194] Falk ..292/359 2,764,445 9/1956 Cerf..... ...292/337 1,904,210 4/ 1933 Eichel ..292/356 Primary Examiner--Albert G. Craig, Jr. Attorney-Mahoney, Hornbaker & Schick ABSTRACT A usual longitudinally extending latch unit has a longitudinally reciprocal bolt and stationary frame parts are spaced transversely of the latch unit at opposite sides thereof mounting a half round spindle extending from one frame part through the latch unit to the other frame part. The frame parts mount the spindle for limited rotational movement from a normal intermediate non-operating position in either rotational direction to opposite operating positions, the spindle being operably connected with the bolt positioning the bolt extended in spindle normal non-operating position and retracted in either of the spindle operating positions. An anti-violation plate is mounted stationary on one of the frame parts by slidable engagement with spaced lugs on said frame part and telescopes the spindle spaced between that frame part spindle rotational'mounting and the latch unit. The spindle extends through a plate opening having spaced abutment surfaces on the plate bordering said opening positioned engageable by the spindle when the spindle is moved to either of its operating positions, but the plate otherwise remaining free of contact with the spindle. The antiviolation plate thereby retains the spindle and bolt against movement in excess of that intended.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED FEB I 31973 INVENTOR. JOHN R. GERLACH MAHONEY, HORNBAKER AND ScHIcK ATTORNEYS ANTI-VIOLATION MEANS FOR LEVER ACTUATED LATCH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an anti-violationmeans for lever actuated latches such as the type of latches normally mounted in doors and the like. More particularly, this invention relates to such an anti-violation means which may be incorporated in a latch construction and prevents the forcing of the latch spindle by applying excessive forces to the handle thereof which could force the spindle and latch unit into inordinate positions damaging such latch element. Thus, the anti-violation means of the present invention will prevent excessive wear and deformation of the latch construction parts which would otherwise be caused by the latch handle forcing and prevents the latch handles, even though the various latch parts remain operable, from'assuming improper positions when the latch construction is' in the non-operated position, particularly critical in latch constructions of the extended lever actuated type.

Various formsof latch constructions have heretofore been provided of the type normally used for doors and the like. Furthermore, these latch constructions have included various forms of operating handles to which the rotational force is applied for retracting the latch bolts and permitting opening of the doors. In the present door latch manufacturing industry, the door latches can normally be segregated into two basic catagories, those having the knob type of operating handles, such as the round or other relatively round configurations of operating knobs, and those which include extended operating levers, the latter operating levers normally being intended to extend horizontally from the latch construction when the lever is in the latch non-operating position.

Where the knob type of operating handles are involved with such latches, the application of excessive operating forces to the operating handles will normally not present any problems. Obviously, with the knob type of operating handles, it is virtually impossible with the use of mere human hand force to apply excessive forces thereto of a sufficient magnitude which cannot be resisted by the normal rigidity of the spindle and latch movable parts. Thus, where the knob type of operating handles are involved, the anti-violation means of the present invention would not be required under most normal circumstances.

The situation with extended lever type operating handles or levers is, however, quite a different situation in view of the fact that if a concerted effort is made, it is very possible to exert excessive forces merely with the human hand, particularly if such force is applied toward the projecting extremity of the lever type operating handle. Such application of excessive forces, therefore, can overcome the normal structural rigidity of thevarious spindle and latch parts and can cause serious damage thereto even to the extent of placing such parts in a form of inoperability. Even if inoperability is not accomplished by spindle and other part deformation, the deformation can be to an extent that the extended lever type operating handles will not normally assume a proper position when released.

In other words, most extended lever type operating handles are mounted on and with latch constructions so that when the operating mechanism is in an at rest" position, the lever type operating handles will extend from the spindle connection thereof horizontally. This gives the most asthetically pleasing appearance and is, therefore, the most desirable. If excessive forces are applied thereto causing deformation of the various spindle and other parts, a definite sag can be caused when the handle is in the at rest position, that is, the handle will angle downwardly at various degrees depending on the amount of deformation, and such positioning is undesirable.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an antiwiolation means for lever actuated latches which limits the latch operating spindle movement to determined extremes and prevents movement thereof and consequent movement of the various movable latch parts to positions beyond that intended and in which damage thereto can be caused. According to the principles of the present invention, a stationary abutment member is mounted adjacent the latch operating spindle within the latch mechanism spaced between each of the outside frame and the spindle operating latch mechanism, such abutment member being particularly positioned so as to permit normal movement of the spindle during proper latch mechanism operation, but limiting the spindle movement to proper operation and preventing any excessive movement thereof beyond the determined limits. In this manner, with the spindle limited against movement beyond its intended limits, it is impossible to exert sufficient forces for damaging the various latch mechanism movable parts which could either create complete inoperability or at least deformation to such parts for improper spindle and spindle operating handle positioning when the latch mechanism is in the at rest position.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an anti-violation means for lever actuated latches which can be added simply and cheaply to presently existing standard latch units including standard spindle and latch mechanisms without the requirements of any appreciable changes in such standard latch units. As hereinbefore discussed, most latch units will include one of two types of operating handles, the round or relatively round knob type operating handles and the extended lever type operating handles, but, as also previously discussed, the prime problems of excessive force damaging the latch mechanism parts of latch units is with the lever type operating handles in view of the longer extension permitting a greater lever arm force to be applied. With the simple anti-violation means of the present invention, therefore, and the extreme simplicity of either adding such anti-violation means to existing latch units or eliminating the same therefrom, if the latch unit is to be used with lever type operating handles, the anti-violation means can be quickly installed therein, whereas, if the knob type operating handles are to be used, the anti-violation means is normally not required and if already installed in the latch unit can be quickly eliminated therefrom.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide an anti-violation means for a lever actuated latches which may be easily adapted to standard latch units including standard spindle and latch mechanisms regardless of whether the latch mechanism is of the single rotational direction type or is formed such that either of opposite rotational direction movements will accomplish proper operation thereof. Where the latch mechanism is of the single rotational direction type, merely a single abutment surface is uniquely located to block movement of the spindle beyond latch mechanism operating position while permitting freedom of such spindle movement in ordinary and normal operation of the latch mechanism. On the other hand, where the latch mechanism is of the alternate rotational direction operating type, spaced abutment surfaces are provided at proper locations for limiting the spindle movement in either of the alternate rotational directions while permitting freedom of spindle movement in normal latch mechanism operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawing which are for the purpose of illustration only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, top plan view of an embodiment of latch unit incorporating the principles of the present invention typically installed in a door shown in section;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 3-3 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 4-4 in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST EMBODIMENT CONTEMPLATED Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of latch construction is shown incorporating the principles of the present invention and installed in a typical door generally indicated at 10, the door having usual vertical sides 12 and 14 and a vertical edge 16. As previously stated, the latch construction may be of a usual type and as shown herein, includes a main frame generally indicated at 18 mounted stationary at the sides 12 and 14 of the door covering opposite sides of a main door opening 20 secured in place by spaced studs 22 receiving fastening screws 24 in the usual manner. The main frame 18 outwardly mounts the facing rosettes 26 and more important, rotably mounts the opposite latch operating levers 28, the operating levers being of the type projecting relatively extensively along the door sides 12 and 14 from the point of connection thereof to the main frame 18.

The operating levers 28 are secured to and mount a half round latch operating spindle 30 extending between the levers and between the opposite sides of the main frame 18 so that rotable movement of the levers causes consequent rotatable movement of the spindle. A usual auxiliary spindle 32 also extends between and is rotatable by the operating levers 28, the auxiliary spindle nesting within the half round operating spindle 30 and being for the usual purpose of providing a selectively operable dogging control which, when engaged, dogs or locks the operating levers against rotation, thereby providing the usual inside door lock. At the same time, and as also usual, where the latch construction is used as an outside door latch,

a usual key operated lock cylinder can be mounted in the outer of the operating levers 28 acting through the auxiliary spindle 32 to alternately lock or permit operation of the latch construction.

As shown in FIG. 4, a spring assembly generally indicated at 34 is mounted at one side of the main frame 18, in this case, at the door side 14, secured to the main frame and telescoping the operating and auxiliary spindles 30 and 32. The auxiliary spindle 32 extends into the spring assembly and is engaged with a usual dogging device (not shown) for performing the function hereinbefore described, while the operating spindle 30 is engaged with the spring assembly for control by a spring 36 thereof, the opposite ends of the spring being engaged with spaced lugs 38 of the main frame 18. As shown, when the latch construction is in the at rest position, the spring 36 is in an at rest position or neutral position retaining the operating levers 28 extending horizontally as shown, but when rotating forces are applied to the operating levers, the spring permits limited rotation in either direction against the spring tension thereof always returning the operating levers to their horizontally extending neutral or at rest" positions.

Intermediate the extension of the operating and auxiliary spindles 30 and 32 through the main door opening 20, such spindles are telescoped by a latch unit generally indicated at 40, the latch unit including a cylindrical case 42 received in a door latch unit opening 44 and secured in the door 10 by a usual face plate assembly 46. A case extension 48 on the latch case 42 projects into the main door opening 20 telescopically engaging one of the main frame mounting studs 22 and partially telescopically engaging the other of said studs as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the case extension 48 has enlarged spindle openings 50 through which the operating spindle 30 and auxiliary spindle 32 extend, the spindle openings being sufficiently large to permit the operation of the operating and auxiliary spindles in the function of the latch construction and the operation of the latch unit 40.

Mounted within the latch unit case 42 is a usual reciprocal bolt 52 normally urged by usual latch unit mechanism (not shown) to extended position projecting from the door edge 16 then the latch unit 40, the operating spindle 30 and the operating levers 28 are in their at rest positions. The bolt 52 is operably connected through a bolt extension 54 to a retractor slide 56, the retractor slide extending within the case extension 48 reciprocal relative thereto and telescoping with appropriate openings both the operating and auxiliary spindles 30 and 32. As shown in FIG. 3, the auxiliary spindle 32 extends freely rotatable through the retractor slide 56 and spaced engagement surfaces 58 lie rearwardly adjacent the opposite extremities of the operating spindle 30 when the various components are in the at rest position as hereinbefore described.

Thus, in usual operation of the latch construction, when the operating handles 28 are in their at rest" positions extending horizontally as shown in full lines and as retained by the spring 36 of the spring assembly 34, the bolt 52 projects forwardly from the case 42 as shown, the operating spindle 30 remains in its neutral at rest" position as shown, for instance, in full lines in FIG. 3 with the engagement surfaces 58 of the bolt extension 54 positioned rearwardly adjacent the spaced extremities of the operating spindle 30. When the operating levers 28 are rotated in either rotational direction, for instance, so as to project downwardly as shown in phanton lines in FIGS. 2 and 3, the operating spindle 30 is rotated similarly causing one of the operating spindle extremities to engage its adjacent retractor slide engagement surface 58 forcing the retractor slide 56 a limited distance rearwardly and retracting the bolt 52 within the latch unit case 42, usually into position with the bolt end flush with the door edge 16. Once the operating spindle 30 has reached either of its extremes of limited rotational movement, for instance, as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3, excessive force then applied against the operating levers 28 can cause serious deformation and even partial destruction of various portions of both the spring assembly 34 and the latch unit and it is this excessive force movement that is guarded against by the anti-violation means of the present invention as will be hereinafter described.

The embodiment of the anti-violation means of the present invention illustrated herein is formed by a rigid abutment plate 60 shown in FIG. 2 slidably secured over spaced lugs 62 on the main frame 18, that is, that side of the main frame opposite from the spring assembly 34. The abutment plate 60 includes notches 64 for clearing the main frame studs 22 when the abutment plate is received secured over the spaced lugs 62. More important, however, the abutment plate 60 telescopes the operating and auxiliary spindles 30 and 32 being located spaced between the operating lever 28 at that side and the latch unit 40 freely rotatably receiving the auxiliary spindle 32 and receiving the operating spindle 30 for limited rotation through a central opening 66.

The extremities of the abutment'plate opening 66 form spaced and preferably angled abutment surfaces 68 normally located one each equally spaced from the spaced extremities of the operating spindle 30 when such spindle is in its at rest position as shown in full lines in FIG. 2, but likewise properly positioned for abutment engagement by the operating spindle extremities when the operating spindle is rotated in either direction to the limits of its intended limited rotation wherein the bolt 52 is fully retracted, such abutment being shown in phantom lines in FIG. 2 for one direction of rotation of the operating levers 28 and the operating spindle. Thus, the abutment surfaces 68 of the anti-violation abutment plate 60 form rigid stops to be abuttingly engaged by the operating spindle 30 when such spindle has reached the intended limits of its limited rotation in either direction. In this manner, the anti-violation abutment plate 60 prevents the operating spindle 30 from being forced beyond its intended limited movement by excessive forces being applied to the operating levers 28 so that it is impossible to damage any of the operating parts of the latch construction particularly including the spring assembly 34 and the latch unit 40 which would be most prone to such deformation or damage.

With the elimination of possible deformation to the various operating parts of the latch construction, there is never the danger of excessive forces being applied to the extending operating levers 28 causing permanent deformations which could result in the operating levers sagging when in the at rest position. Rather, the various parts of the construction will operate in their intended manners for a long period of useful life and when at rest will always extend in their most asthetically pleasing horizontal positions.

Furthermore, with the anti-violation abutment plate 60 mounted on the main frame 18 through slidable reception over the main frame spaced lugs 62, such abutment plate can be easily installed in or removed from a particular latch construction as desired. When the latch construction is to include the extended operating levers 28 presenting the danger of excessive forces damaging the latch construction, the abutment plate can be quickly installed. When, however, only the normal round type operating knobs are to be used with the latch construction, the abutment plate 60 can be quickly eliminated.

Still further, the abutment plate 60 will be perfectly operable serving its anti-violation purposes whether the half round operating spindle 30 is rotatable in either rotatable direction or only in a single rotatable direction. For the reverse rotation of the operating spindle 30, that is, the form of latch construction herein described and shown, the spaced abutment surfaces 68 of the abutment plate 60 will guard the operating spindle 30 against excessive rotation in either direction. Where the latch construction is of the type wherein the operating spindle 30 is only mounted for limited rotation in one direction, the appropriate one of the abutment surfaces 68 on the abutment plate 60 will serve as the same safeguard.

Iclaim:

1. In a latch construction of the type having a latch unit with a reciprocal bolt movable between a normally extended position and a retracted position, a stationary frame, a latch operating spindle mounted on said stationary frame at a location spaced from said latch unit, said mounting said spindle providing for rotational movement relative to said stationary frame between a normal non-operating position and at lease one extreme operating position, said spindle extending from said frame rotational mounting to said latch unit and being operably connected to said bolt for moving said bolt from said normal extended position to said retracted position during movement of said spindle from said normal'non-operating position to said extreme operating position; the improvements comprising: anti-violation means including a plate having an opening with said spindle extending therethrough, plate surfaces at said plate opening being spaced from said spindle during movement of said spindle between said spindle normal non-operating and extreme operating positions, said plate having an abutment surface formed at a peripheral portion of said opening engageable by said spindle upon movement of said spindle to said extreme operating position, said plate being spaced from each of said frame rotational mounting of said spindle and said latch unit, said plate being secured to said stationary frame by being slidably received on and engaged with spaced lugs on said stationary frame and being retained stationary by said frame during said spindle movement and said engagement with said plate abutment surface.

2. A latch construction as defined in claim 1 in which said latch construction is of the type wherein said latch unit extends longitudinally and said bolt is longitudinally reciprocal, said stationary frame including frame parts spaced transversely of said latch unit at opposite sides thereof with said spindle extending between said frame parts and through said latch unit, said spindle in said extension between said frame parts and through said latch unit being half round in crosssection and being mounted movable between an intermediate normal non-operating position and oppositely rotated extreme operating positions, said spindle moving said bolt from said normal extended position to said retracted position during movement of said spindle from said intermediate normal non-operating position to either of said extreme operating positions; and in which spaced abutment surfaces are formed on said plate at spaced peripheral portions of said opening, one of said abutment surfaces being engageable by said spindle upon movement of said spindle to one of said extreme operating positions and the other of said abutment surfaces being engageable by said spindle upon movement of said spindle to the other of said extreme operating positions, said plate surfaces at said plate opening being spaced from said spindle during movement of said spindle between said spindle normal nonoperating and opposite extreme operating positions and during positioning of said spindle in said intermediate normal non-operating. position. 

1. In a latch construction of the type having a latch unit with a reciprocal bolt movable between a normally extended position and a retracted position, a stationary frame, a latch operating spindle mounted on said stationary frame at a location spaced from said latch unit, said mounting said spindle providing for rotational movement relative to said stationary frame between a normal non-operating position and at lease one extreme operating position, said spindle extending from said frame rotational mounting to said latch unit and being operably connected to said bolt for moving said bolt from said normal extended position to said retracted position during movement of said spindle from said normal non-operating position to said extreme operating position; the improvements comprising: anti-violation means including a plate having an opening with said spindle extending therethrough, plate surfaces at said plate opening being spaced from said spindle during movement of said spindle between said spindle normal non-operating and extreme operating positions, said plate having an abutment surface formed at a peripheral portion of said opening engageable by said spindle upon movement of said spindle to said extreme operating position, said plate being spaced from each of said frame rotational mounting of said spindle and said latch unit, said plate being secured to said stationary frame by being slidably received on and engaged with spaced lugs on said stationary frame and being retained stationary by said frame during said spindle movement and said engagement with said plate abutment surface.
 1. In a latch construction of the type having a latch unit with a reciprocal bolt movable between a normally extended position and a retracted position, a stationary frame, a latch operating spindle mounted on said stationary frame at a location spaced from said latch unit, said mounting said spindle providing for rotational movement relative to said stationary frame between a normal non-operating position and at lease one extreme operating position, said spindle extending from said frame rotational mounting to said latch unit and being operably connected to said bolt for moving said bolt from said normal extended position to said retracted position during movement of said spindle from said normal non-operating position to said extreme operating position; the improvements comprising: anti-violation means including a plate having an opening with said spindle extending therethrough, plate surfaces at said plate opening being spaced from said spindle during movement of said spindle between said spindle normal non-operating and extreme operating positions, said plate having an abutment surface formed at a peripheral portion of said opening engageable by said spindle upon movement of said spindle to said extreme operating position, said plate being spaced from each of said frame rotational mounting of said spindle and said latch unit, said plate being secured to said stationary frame by being slidably received on and engaged with spaced lugs on said stationary frame and being retained stationary by said frame during said spindle movement and said engagement with said plate abutment surface. 